Chemistry

Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS)

Professional chemists enjoy one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States. The median starting salary for new graduates is $42,000.

Professional chemists enjoy one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States. The median starting salary for new graduates is $42,000.

Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Overview

Chemistry majors at The University of Toledo study the properties, composition and structure of matter — and how matter changes and impacts everyday life. The undergraduate program in chemistry is a cornerstone of the natural sciences. It prepares students for a future in graduate studies, chemical research or teaching.

A bachelor's degree in chemistry from UToledo offers hands-on training with advanced instrumentation in modern research facilities. Undergraduate chemistry majors are able to work with faculty on research that spans the entire field of chemistry.

Graduates from UToledo's bachelor's degree program in chemistry are highly sought by employers in a variety of fields.

BA or BS in chemistry?

The BS degree program is mathematically rigorous and meets the standards set by the American Chemical Society. It is for students who want to:

Go on to graduate school or other professional programs.

Become professional chemists.

Find jobs in laboratories in the chemical, pharmaceutical, clinical and allied professional industries.

The BA degree has a broader curriculum and is an option for students who wish to:

Pursue careers in laboratories or in the business or sales end of chemistry.

Double-major in programs such as biology or chemical engineering.

Pursue a career in medicine.

Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Highlights

Choose your path. Major or minor in chemistry. Work toward a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science. Enroll in a dual-degree program in biology or chemical engineering.

State-of-the-art labs and technology for hands-on learning and research. The recently renovated Bowman-Oddy/Wolfe Hall complex has an instrumentation center and a variety of labs. Professional staff offer specialized training in how to use advanced instrumentation, including scanning electron microscopes and high-field NMR spectrometers.

Study the latest chemistry topics. UT’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry exposes undergraduates to exciting specialty areas in chemistry through the new School of Green Chemistry and Engineering. Students learn about sustainability, environmental issues and the development of “green” approaches in chemistry.

Networking. UToledo's bachelor of science in chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a professional organization for chemical scientists. Join the award-winning student chapter of the ACS and participate in educational and professional development programs.

Award-winning faculty. Faculty has been lauded for teaching, research and service to the profession and UT.

Career Opportunities

Many students who earn a bachelor's degree in chemistry go on to graduate programs or professional schools before entering the workforce. UToledo chemistry alumni have been accepted to some of the nation’s top graduate and medical schools, including the University of California at Berkeley, MIT, the University of Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State.

Employers value UT graduates for their practical lab and research experience. Chemists work in chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech industries; clinical or allied professional settings; and related fields, such as patent law, business and sales.

Sample Jobs

Analytical chemist

Medical writer

Associate professor

Patent attorney

Company president or chief executive officer

Pharmacist

Dentist

Research director

Medical doctor

Research scientist

Our Alumni

"I wanted a BS in chemistry at a school that had a program large enough to obtain accreditation from the American Chemical Society, small enough that I would get personal attention from my professors, and more affordable than a private school. That was, absolutely, The University of Toledo. My professors knew me by name, answered my questions during their office hours and allowed me to assist them with their laboratory research projects, which led to publications with my name in the author line. My degree and my publications from UToledo facilitated my acceptance to a PhD program, and later my career as a medical writer. I owe much of my success to The University of Toledo."

"Toledo was one of 12 schools I looked at for college. I chose Toledo over Ivy League and Big Ten schools, and a big reason for that was because of the chemistry department. The first time I visited, Dr. Andy Jorgensen greeted me and my parents with a smile, armed with stories about his grandchildren and experiences in Illinois, where I was from. He told us all about the classes and research, and about the instrumentation center and how undergraduate students are not only allowed, but encouraged, to learn how to use the instruments — something I would later learn is not the norm."

"Since graduating from Toledo, I have joined a graduate program where I do research at a Department of Energy laboratory on a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary project, examining the effects of climate change in the Arctic. As a direct result of the skills I learned at Toledo, I’ve earned a competitive fellowship through the National Science Foundation, published in peer-reviewed journals, been invited to speak at national and international conferences, and become a mentor and advocate to underrepresented groups in STEM fields. I am, and always will be, a proud Rocket and alumnus of The University of Toledo."

Research Opportunities

Work alongside faculty and graduate students on federally funded research projects that can lead to publications in scientific journals. Chemistry faculty are published as many as 50 times each year.

Attend conferences. Present and publish research.

Work on a wide range of research topics in chemistry and biochemistry. Faculty’s interests range from the smallest materials (molecular structures and nanomaterials) to global concerns about climate change and the impact of chemistry on our environment. They study: